President Trump calls for an investigation of SNL

It is one of the things that make this country great. We are a nation of free thinkers, able to seek out those things that bring us pleasure, or make us laugh. For some, that means tuning in to Saturday Night Live. But not for President Trump. Like the rest of us, Trump could find something else to do on Saturday nights, but apparently tortures himself by watching SNL, where he, like presidents before him, is routinely lampooned. And he isn’t happy about it. Trump is actually calling for a federal investigation of Saturday Night Live, suggesting the Federal Communications Commission or the Federal Election Commission investigate the sketch comedy program. But censoring or punishing tv shows is not part of either’s purview. The Election Commission investigates improper campaign contributions, while the Communications Commission originated the Fairness Doctrine. But that law was wiped from the books years ago, and even when it was in place the law did not protect elected officials from being lampooned. In addition, Saturday Night Live is a comedy, and its satire is protected by free speech laws. The President’s latest Twitter tirade is itself comedic, and no doubt providing SNL’s writers fodder for the next episode.